Driver Dies In Fiery Santa Rosa Crash Early On New Year's Eve

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — An investigation of a fiery fatal crash early Sunday morning, Dec. 31 in the South Park area of Santa Rosa was continuing Tuesday, as was the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner Office's effort to identify the deceased driver. Santa Rosa police were dispatched at 1:18 a.m. New Year's Eve to Santa Rosa Avenue and Barham Avenue after receiving reports that a car was on fire in the middle of the road, Sgt. Jonathan Wolf stated in a news release.

"The vehicle, a silver 2016 Dodge Charger, was engulfed in flames," Wolf said. "The Santa Rosa Fire Department arrived at 1:20 a.m. and extinguished the flames. [...] The driver, and apparent solo occupant, was determined to be deceased inside the vehicle."

Witnesses told police the car had been traveling southbound on Santa Rosa Avenue when it went over a curb at the southwest corner of the intersection and collided with a traffic light pole and a tree.

"One witness said the vehicle was on fire even before it came to a full stop," Wolf said.

Accident investigators with the Santa Rosa Police Department were summoned to the scene and took over the investigation.

Authorities have determined the driver of the car was male but have not confirmed his identity.

Wolf said late Tuesday afternoon that coroner's officials may not be able to determine the crash victim's name until later this week — possibly Friday.

"The decedent was badly burned, so we will need to use DNA or dental records to positively identify him," said Sonoma County sheriff-coroner's spokeswoman Misti Harris.

Santa Rosa police were also still working to determine whether speed or alcohol or drug impairment were possible factors in the collision.

Wolf encouraged anyone with information about the fatal incident to contact Officer Jeff Woods of the Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Bureau by calling 707-543-3636.

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